Unimportant as it may seem, a split second can change our lives in ways we can never imagine. So today, write about the basic unit of time, seconds. Reflect on those few seconds when a loved one was in a life-and-death situation. …
So the assignment today was pretty tough for me. I knew immediately which second to write about. A second from my existence that rocked my world on impact and will continue skewing my reality forever. But writing about it wasn’t easy. And my poetry is particularly weak on it. I think in time I can make it strong, but I don’t have the time or mental capacity to deal with it more today. So consider it a draft. I want to get a better flow and rhythm in the future, but would rather post the draft then ignore the assignment.
Twenty years and two days ago my world changed forever
Thanks to a decision
Made in a second.
You were failing. You didn’t kick,
And there were moments left
In the stress test.
I told the nurse to turn me. That always made you move.
You kicked. I grinned. We passed!
Micro-seconds to spare.
I didn’t realize that my split-second choice
Was the harbinger of
Death.
Since you passed the test they wouldn’t induce
Though it was a week past your due time.
Rest in peace, beloved son of mine.
How I wish I could turn back time.
Not my fault. I know. Still, I’ll always regret
The decision that I made in the final
Second of that test.
- This post is part of the Poetry 101 course from the WordPress Blogging University.